CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- Chattanooga Women's Basketball Head Coach
Deandra Schirmer announced the addition of three to the 2026-27 women's basketball roster during the early period of National Signing Day.
Joining the Mocs are Aaliyah Story, Sinae Hill and Lydia Ledford.
"This class is a huge step in the right direction for our program," Schirmer stated. "We have signed three players that will be cornerstones for our team moving forward."
Aaliyah Story
6'3" | Forward | Telford, Tenn. | Daniel Boone High School/David Crockett High School
High School Career:
- Spent three seasons with David Crockett High School
- Career totals include 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds – all-time leading rebounder at David Crockett.
- Two-time All-Conference selection
- Two-time MVP and Defensive Player of the Year
- Three-time All-Tournament Team honoree
- Named Athlete of the Year and WJHL Player of the Week
- Led team to multiple winning seasons, including a 33-4 record as a junior
- Team accomplishments include 2025 Rise Champs with AAU club FBC Reign
Track & Field:
- 2024 State Champion in long jump
- Multiple podium finishes in high jump and long jump (2024–2025)
Academic Achievements:
- Maintained a 4.0 GPA
- Valedictorian for Health Science
- Member of HOSA and other academic organizations
Personal:
Daughter of Martha Fleming, Chris Fleming, and Gabe Story … step-sisters Olyvia and Sydney (21) and half-sister Mackenzie (8) … step-sister Olyvia competed in track at UVA Wise … plans to major in Biochemistry.
"Aaliyah Story is a Tennessee product that has established herself as a premier defender. She has great size and athleticism that we know will help reinforce our frontcourt," Schirmer said. "She has a very high ceiling and we are very excited to get the opportunity to coach her to her full potential. She has showcased her ability to play within a system similar to ours and I think she will be a perfect fit for our vision of the program moving forward."
Sinae Hill
5'8" | Guard | Minnehaha Academy | Minneapolis, Minn.
High School Career:
- Plays at Minnehaha Academy under Coach Kendall Givens
- Averaged 13 points per her game her junior year, 10 points per game her sophomore year, and eight points per game her freshman year
- Led Minnehaha to the MSHSL Class 2A State Semifinals last season
- Also plays soccer
Club Team: Minnesota Stars
- Played under her father, Coach PJ Hill
Personal:
Daughter of PJ and Mandy Hill... Has two brothers, P.J. and Ocean... Both of her parents played College Basketball with her Dad at Ohio State and her Mom at Concordia St. Paul... Has taken a mission trip to Kenya... Is a Chapel Intern... Plans to major in either Biology or Criminal Justice.
"Sinae Hill is a crafty combo guard who has a very high basketball IQ and feel for the game. She has already showcased her ability to play at an elite level and we expect her to hit the ground running when she arrives," Schirmer said. "Her aunt Morgan played here at UTC and her family is full of Division I basketball lineage which has prepared her to approach the game in a professional way with a relentless work ethic. She is a coaches daughter and understands what it takes to be successful and wants to be a part of a winning culture, she will have an immediate impact on our team."
Lydia Ledford
5-11 | Guard | Buford, Ga. | Buford High School
High School:
- Played for Gene Durden
- As a junior, earned Jefferson Tournament MVP – led team to title
- All-Georgia Honorable Mention
- GACA/GBCA 6A North All-State
- Named to the 7A All-State Team (GBCA) as a sophomore
- Gwinnett Tip-Off Club All County Team as a sophomore
- Reached the Final Four in her freshman season
- Three-time Region Champions
Club Team: Brandon Clay All-Stars
Honors & Accomplishments:
- Final Four appearance
- Three-time region champion
- Adidas Circuit standout
- Adidas All-American Camp participant
Academic Achievements:
- Maintained a 4.0 weighted GPA throughout high school
- Member of National Honor Society
- Recognized for academic excellence while competing at the highest level
Personal:
Daughter of Stephanie and Kenneth Ledford … has two brothers, Eli and Noah … mother played basketball at Valdosta State … father played baseball at Lagrange College … Noah played baseball at Georgia Southern and was awarded several conference awards and named All-American … plans to major in Business or Medical Sales.
"Lydia Ledford is a combo guard with an elite shooting ability coming from Buford High School that is a powerhouse in the state of Georgia. She has already earned countless honors going into her senior season including Adidas All-American, Preseason 1
st Team All-State, as well as being named a consensus Top-100 senior prospect by 24/7 sports," Schirmer said. "These awards showcase how dominant she has been at the high school level, but the exciting thing for us is that she is just getting started. She is a proven winner and she will add a championship edge to our team with how competitive she is."
